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Logic Board Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the logic board in your MacBook Air 13" 2022.

To maintain Touch ID functionality, you must also replace your Touch ID sensor with a new one that's paired to the replacement logic board. If your new logic board doesn't come with a paired Touch ID sensor, you'll lose functionality. The MacBook Air's original Touch ID sensor is uniquely paired to the logic board at the factory—and without Apple’s proprietary calibration process, even a genuine replacement Touch ID sensor from another MacBook Air won’t work.

What you need

  1. Logic Board Replacement, Prepare your Macbook Air for disassembly: step 1, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Prepare your Macbook Air for disassembly: step 1, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Prepare your Macbook Air for disassembly: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Before you begin, discharge your battery below 25%, as a charged lithium-ion battery can be dangerous if accidentally punctured.

    • Power off your MacBook Air and unplug all cables.

    • Close the display and flip the laptop upside down. Keep the lid closed until you've physically disconnected the battery.

    Edit

  2. Logic Board Replacement, Unfasten the lower case: step 2, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement, Unfasten the lower case: step 2, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    FixMat
    $36.95
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    • Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove the four 6.4 mm screws securing the lower case:

    • Two screws with a short threaded portion near the hinges

    • Two screws with a long threaded portion near the front of the MacBook

    • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

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  3. Logic Board Replacement, Insert an opening pick: step 3, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Insert an opening pick: step 3, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Insert an opening pick: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Apply a suction handle to the center of the lower case's front edge.

    • Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force to create a small gap between the lower case and the frame.

    • Insert an opening pick into the gap.

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  4. Logic Board Replacement, Release the snapping clips: step 4, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Release the snapping clips: step 4, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Release the snapping clips: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • During the next two steps you'll feel and hear four snapping clips release. If a clip doesn't release, insert your opening pick farther and try again.

    • Slide the pick to the bottom right corner to release the first clip.

    • Slide the pick around the corner and up the right edge to release the next two clips.

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  5. Logic Board Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Insert the opening pick in the original gap created with the suction handle.

    • Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner and up the left edge to release the three remaining snapping clips.

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  6. Logic Board Replacement, Release the sliding tabs: step 6, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Release the sliding tabs: step 6, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Release the sliding tabs: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Four sliding tabs along the back edge of the MacBook firmly secure the lower case. Separating these tabs requires a lot of force—consider using gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the lower case.

    • Keep the lower case flat and firmly pull it straight away from the back edge, one corner at a time, to disengage the sliding tabs.

    • Don't pull up until the cover is completely separated.

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  7. Logic Board Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 7, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 7, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the lower case.

    • During reassembly:

    • Set the lower case in place and align the sliding tabs with the screw heads they slide over. Press down and slide the lower case toward the back edge to engage the tabs—it'll stop sliding as the tabs engage.

    • When one side is engaged, it may push the other out of alignment. Check both sides as you push, there should be no gap along the back edge.

    • Once the lower case is flush with the frame, press down firmly along the perimeter to engage the four snapping clips.

    • You'll hear and feel a distinct click as each clip snaps into place.

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  8. Logic Board Replacement, Remove the battery connector cover: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the battery connector cover.

    • Due to screw variances, you may need to use a T4 Torx instead. Keep this in mind whenever you encounter T3 Torx screws during this repair.

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  9. Logic Board Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the battery connector cover.

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  10. Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 10, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Use an opening pick to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.

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  12. Logic Board Replacement, Unfasten the trackpad cable cover: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the trackpad cable cover.

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  13. Logic Board Replacement, Access the trackpad press connector: step 12, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement, Access the trackpad press connector: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger or your fingers to move the trackpad cable cover out of the way so you can access the press connector underneath.

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  14. Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the trackpad cable: step 13, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the trackpad cable: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable press connector.

    • To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down in the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

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  15. Logic Board Replacement, Remove the display cable cover foam: step 14, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the display cable cover foam: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Peel up and remove the foam pad from the lower display cable cover to reveal a hidden screw.

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  16. Logic Board Replacement, Remove the cable covers: step 15, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the cable covers: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the fourteen 1.5 mm screws securing the various cable covers.

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  17. Logic Board Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the six cable covers.

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  18. Logic Board Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the four screws securing the upper display cable cover:

    • Two 2.5 mm P2 Pentalobe screws

    • Two 2.5 mm T3 Torx screws

    • During reassembly, the Pentalobe screws must thread into their holes on the plastic securing bracket.

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  19. Logic Board Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the upper display cable cover and plastic securing bracket.

    • During reassembly, make sure that the upper lip of the metal cable cover slots into the plastic bracket.

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  20. Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the logic board connectors: step 19, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the logic board connectors: step 19, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the logic board connectors: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect both display cable press connectors.

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  21. Logic Board Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the microphone array press connector, directly to the left of the display cable.

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  22. Logic Board Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement: step 21, image 3 of 3

    • Disconnect the left and right speaker press connectors.

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  23. Logic Board Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the flat end of a spudger between the the interconnect cable and the screw post.

    • Pry up and disconnect the interconnect cable.

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  24. Logic Board Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the MagSafe port press connector.

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  25. Logic Board Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement: step 24, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement: step 24, image 3 of 3

    • Disconnect both Thunderbolt port press connectors.

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  26. Logic Board Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement: step 25, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement: step 25, image 3 of 3

    • Use a pair of tweezers to grip the first antenna connector, as close to its base as possible.

    • Lift straight up to disconnect the cable.

    • The antenna connectors on the logic board are very fragile. When disconnecting the cables, pull straight up—don’t bend them to the side.

    • Repeat for the second antenna cable.

    • To reattach antenna connectors like these, align the connector over its socket and press down with the flat end of a spudger. The connector should snap into place. This can be tricky and may take a few tries.

    Edit

  27. Logic Board Replacement, Unfasten the logic board: step 26, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement, Unfasten the logic board: step 26, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the nine screws securing the logic board:

    • Three 3.8 mm T5 Torx screws

    • One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw

    • Two 3.4 mm T5 Torx screws

    • One 3.1 mm T5 Torx screw

    • Two 2.7 mm T3 Torx screws

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  28. Logic Board Replacement, Remove the logic board: step 27, image 1 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the logic board: step 27, image 2 of 3 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the logic board: step 27, image 3 of 3

    • The logic board and its cover are connected and remove as one assembly.

    • The cover extends out from the logic board's left edge and bends easily. Don't pull the board up from this side.

    • Grip the right side of the logic board and slide it towards the trackpad until it clears the overhangs near the speakers.

    • Remove the logic board.

    Edit

  29. Logic Board Replacement, Check cables during reassembly: step 28, image 1 of 2 Logic Board Replacement, Check cables during reassembly: step 28, image 2 of 2

    • When you reinstall the logic board, verify that no cables get trapped under the board as you lower it into place. Check each of the seven locations carefully:

    • Right speaker cable

    • Trackpad cable

    • Display cables and microphone array cable

    • Antenna cables

    • Battery cable

    • Left speaker cable

    • USB-C and MagSafe cables

    Edit
Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before you install it.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting or check out our Answers community for help.

2 other people completed this guide.

Author

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Spencer Day

Member since: 09/14/22

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